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Wahpeton (9-1) brings the state's top-ranked scoring offense to town for a Class AA state semifinal against Ryan (10-0) at 6 tonight at Herb Parker Stadium.

A Las Vegas oddsmaker would dub the betting line as "pick 'em."

The Huskies put up 40.5 points per game and allow 12.7. They average 407.7 yards per contest.

The Lions score 40.1 a game and give up 12.1. They average 410.3 per four quarters.

Spooky, right?

Ryan coach Brad Borkhuis said there are slight differences, but not many.

"Very similar in formation, but their balance is a little more run than ours," Borkhuis said. "We're a little more pass than they are.

"From a defensive standpoint, they run a 4-3. They try to go (cover-0) on the outside and really go man-to-man coverage and try to force you to beat them deep. Ours is a little more of a zone scheme."

Borkhuis and Wahpeton coach Brian Dokken - both in their fourth year, of course - give identical explanations when asked about their offensive philosophies.

"We just kind of take what defenses give us," Dokken said. "If they're going to try to stop the run, we're going to pass the ball. If they're going to try to take away our passing game, then we're going to run the ball."

It's a plan the Lions have carried out time and again.

Ryan posted 323 rushing yards in the mud and rain against Griggs-Barnes County, but aired it out for 267 passing yards against Beulah.

Ryan senior quarterback Austin Eggl (1,856 passing, 892 rushing) could break 2,000 yards through the air and 1,000 on the ground.

Wahpeton hopes to counter the Lions' balanced attack with some versatility of its own - a 4-3 defensive front that adjusts as necessary.

"Our biggest thing for defense is having the personnel to switch around (our formations)," Dokken said. "When we're playing against Beulah, we needed five defensive linemen. When we go play Grafton, we needed an extra D-back."